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Who's battling for a spot on your club's list?

Staff writers
Oct 14, 2017 7:10PM

Are the Giants about to wheel Shane Mumford out the door?

Defender/midfielder Harrison Wigg hasn't been offered a new deal by the Crows and will be hoping to find a home as a delisted free agent. He could also move via a trade for a low draft pick. The third-year player was recruited to the club as a half-back flanker, but played mostly as an inside midfielder in the SANFL this year. Experienced defender Kyle Cheney, 28, could also be on the way out after losing his spot in the side to Jake Kelly. Rookie-listed forward Jono Beech got a taste of senior football, playing three games, but isn't guaranteed of remaining at the club next year. Midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen is expected to be retained after missing this year with a torn ACL, while third-string ruckman Paul Hunter is likely to be delisted after spending the past two years on the rookie list. - Lee Gaskin

The Lions have cleaned out plenty of the list already, with Tom Rockliff joining the five delisted players to depart after accepting a free agency offer from Port Adelaide. Winner of The Recruit Matt Eagles looks set to earn another year after serious improvement from about half-way through the season. Fellow talls Michael Close and Matthew Hammelmann have both shown signs of promise, while rookies Cian Hanley, Reuben William and Mitchell Hinge might be kept on the rookie list for another season. Claye Beams showed reasonable form late in the year but at 26, he could be moved on. - Dinny Navaratnam

Dylan Buckley has played only 39 games in five seasons and struggled this year, managing only one senior appearance against the Western Bulldogs in round 17. He spent most of 2017 in the VFL before a knee injury in August and subsequent surgery ended his season. Buckley is out of contract, as is Nick Graham, who was unable to secure a regular spot in Carlton’s midfield in his fifth season, playing two fewer games than he did in 2016. The versatile Simon White, whose season ended prematurely with a knee injury, is an unrestricted free agent and has yet to re-sign. Category B International Rookie Ciaran Sheehan managed only two games after finally getting his body right. - Howard Kotton

Dylan Buckley played just one game for the Blues in 2017. Picture: AFL Photos

The Pies turned over 13 players last year and have already seen off two senior listed players and three rookies since the season's end. There's a few who remain out of contract and on the cusp, including Ben Sinclair – who has battled persistent injuries and didn't play at all in 2017 – and Jackson Ramsay and Brayden Sier, while the future of the contracted but out-of-favour Chris Mayne remains unclear despite three years to run on his current deal. They signed Mason Cox last month but could do with another forward, which automatically links them to Josh Schache, but the club has confirmed only lukewarm interest. They've also suggested they'll be quiet during trade period, so further list changes could be minimal, although there are persistent rumblings the contracted Alex Fasolo could return home to Perth. - Jennifer Phelan

Jackson Merrett and Ben Howlett remain out of contract for next year and are set to have to wait until after the trade period is finished before seeing if there is room for them on Essendon's list next year. Merrett couldn't break into the senior team this year, while Howlett was only called upon seven times at AFL level and turns 29 next week. Essendon has already farewelled retiring veterans James Kelly, Jobe Watson, Heath Hocking and Brent Stanton, but is intent on bringing in at least three players via the trade period so may still need some spots to open. Alex Morgan could be in trouble after two years on the list and a few injuries, while rookie Shaun McKernan is also unsigned for next season. - Callum Twomey

The Dockers have already made the majority of their squad changes. Five players have been delisted, while defenders Zac Dawson and Garrick Ibbotson have hung up the boots. Shane Yarran retired last December. Two more players – Harley Balic and Hayden Crozier – look to be headed out the door during the NAB AFL Trade Period, while uncontracted free agent Nick Suban is exploring his options. The 27-year-old, who was awarded life membership at the Doig Medal, appears to be on the outer at Freo with the club turning towards the next generation and is hoping to earn another shot at a rival outfit. - Travis King

Nick Suban is weighing up his options as a free agent. Picture: AFL Photos

The Cats want to bring a few in with Gary Ablett and possibly Jack Watts and Jake Stringer on the radar, although they've admitted trading for the latter two will be difficult. Defender Tom Ruggles is out of contract and no certainty to get another deal after being squeezed out of the side earlier this year. He'll have to wait until the end of Trade Period before he's told if he's required. Darcy Lang's days appeared numbered as he ended the season uncontracted, but list manager Stephen Wells said this week he would have a home at Geelong next year if he didn't find a new one. Steven Motlop and Daniel Menzel are free agents and considering their options; Motlop has suitors while Menzel wants a more lucrative contract than the one the Cats offered mid-season before talks were shelved. Rhys Stanley is contracted for another year, but will the Cats need him if they find the picks to trade for Watts? - Jennifer Phelan

The Suns look likely to offload a few through trade with Gary Ablett either heading to Geelong or retiring, the out-of-contract Brandon Matera keen on going back to Perth (and having already completed a medical with Fremantle), and Adam Saad wanting to be in Melbourne next year, preferably playing for Essendon. Heart-and-soul midfielder Michael Rischitelli was in contract talks before the appointment of Stuart Dew, but it's unknown if the new coach sees a future for the 31-year-old in his side. Michael Barlow is in a similar boat, although he is contracted for another year, while Trent McKenzie, Matt Shaw and Jesse Lonergan are out of contract and no certainties to stay with the Suns needing a big list overhaul. Tom Lynch's name just keeps coming up despite his contracted status for 2018 and there's no doubt the Suns would be fielding inquiries for the co-captain's services. He obviously won't go anywhere if a surprise trade isn't met, but he remains a talking point given he's refused to confirm his commitment beyond the end of next year. - Jennifer Phelan

Michael Rischitelli could be surplus to requirements under Stuart Dew. Picture: AFL Photos

The Giants' list will have another vastly different look next season, but there doesn't appear to be too many players in the firing line in terms of being de-listed. With Steve Johnson, Tendai Mzungu and Tom Downie retiring, Joel Patfull already departing last year, Devon Smith moving to Essendon, and Nathan Wilson and Matthew Kennedy also expecting a trade, the list looks pretty secure. A big question over Shane Mumford remains, with the ruckman a chance to also call it quits due to injury, while Sam Reid is out of contract, but played 13 of the first 15 games this season and should get a new deal. - Adam Curley

The Hawks' list decision-making was made somewhat easier with four players retiring, including Luke Hodge, who has back-flipped and will extend his career at the Brisbane Lions next year. A final call is still to be made on Billy Hartung, Kade Stewart, Kurt Heatherley, Jono O'Rourke and Dallas Willsmore. Hartung is being shopped around, but should be back at Waverley Park next year if a deal can't be struck. The other four have varying reason to be nervous, given they played a combined 10 games between them in 2017. O'Rourke, a former Giant who was the No.2 pick in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft, did not add to his 18 career matches as hamstring trouble again hampered his progress. Rookies Conor Glass and Conor Nash – both from Ireland – and James Cousins and Oliver Hanrahan all showed signs of development and are contracted for 2018. Hawthorn has already secured more outside run in the NAB AFL Trade Period with the addition of Port Adelaide speed demon Jarman Impey. – Marc McGowan

The Demons are done with delistings, with ruckman Lachie Filipovic's signature leaving no out of contract players at the club. Filipovic will remain on the rookie list, as will Corey Maynard – although he goes from a Category B to a Category A, making him available for AFL selection in round one – Declan Keilty and Tim Smith. Melbourne is committed to elevating Joel Smith to the primary list despite a season-ending shoulder injury spoiling his AFL debut in round one. Colin Garland, Pat McKenna, Aaron vandenBerg, Josh Wagner, Bernie Vince and Jay Kennedy-Harris will play for their football lives in 2018. The Demons parted ways with their first-round draft pick this year and next as part of the deal for star Adelaide defender Jake Lever, and are close to securing wantaway Dockers midfielder Harley Balic. - Marc McGowan

The Roos were bold with their list changes for the second year in a row, with Sam Gibson, Aaron Mullett and Lachlan Hansen headlining the six delistings. All three have some hope of finding a new AFL home. There won't be any further delistings, with out-of-contract quartet Jarrad Waite, Scott Thompson, Declan Mountford and Ben Jacobs signing new one-year deals. Rookies Oscar Junker and Cameron Zurhaar, who played four AFL games this year, also scored contracts for 2018. North is contemplating signing an international rookie, with Irish pair Rian O'Neill and Jack Kennedy trialling at the club in August. There could yet be some trade activity, with ruckmen Todd Goldstein and Braydon Preuss potentially on the table and the Kangas linked with Cats midfielder Darcy Lang. – Marc McGowan

Veteran speedster Matthew White is hoping he can add to his 153 career games with a new one-year deal. The 30-year-old showed glimpses of his best, notably a 21-possession game against Collingwood in round 15, but injuries and form limited him to seven games last season. Forward Brett Eddy, 28, lost his place in the side to young gun Todd Marshall, but could be handy as a depth player. Third-year player Jesse Palmer, 20, has had few opportunities since arriving as the 78th pick in the 2014 draft. Rookie-listed duo Cam Hewett and Will Snelling could also be facing an uphill battle to retain their spots at the club. - Lee Gaskin

Already delisted: Nathan Krakouer, Angus Monfries (both retired)

Matt White still has the speed but has struggled with injuries. Picture: AFL Photos

Defender Jake Batchelor will learn more about his future at the end of the NAB AFL Trade Period after playing just once this season. Smart forward Ben Lennon is out of contract and has not lived up to his potential after just five games in the past two seasons. His talent was obvious after being drafted at No.12 in 2013 but Lennon has never flourished in Damien Hardwick's side. He appears to be in limbo, a situation Nathan Drummond also finds himself in. The midfielder has had both knees reconstructed but might be given another chance. Tough onballer Anthony Miles is out of contract and exploring options, but will be kept on at the Tigers if he doesn't move elsewhere. - Dinny Navaratnam

Most of the Saints list is locked in. The only player under any real pressure to stay at the club next year is ruckman Jason Holmes. While the American big man has shown great vigour in his five games at senior level, he ultimately will probably be squeezed out with Billy Longer, Tom Hickey and Lewis Pierce all contracted and able to play in the same spot. The Saints have declared they want to keep Hickey, who is contracted until the end of 2019, but if the Queenslander ended up elsewhere, Holmes could be asked to stay on as back-up for Longer. - Dinny Navaratnam

American ruckman Jason Holmes couldn't crack it for a senior game this year. Picture: AFL Photos

The Swans have already made some changes with Brandon Jack, Tyrone Leonardis and Michael Talia axed, and Jeremy Laidler and Shaun Edwards retiring, but there could be a couple of other players with nervous wait. After fighting his way back from five knee reconstructions to play nine NEAFL games this year, courageous defender Alex Johnson remains out of contract, and his playing future looms as a massive decision for Sydney. Robbie Fox – who played three senior games in 2016 – and fellow rookies Colin O'Riordan, Sam Murray, Ben Ronke and Toby Pink will also be looked at by the Swans' list management team. - Adam Curley

After taking the AFL's oldest list into 2017, most of the Eagles' changes have been due to retirements. Matt Priddis, Sam Mitchell, Drew Petrie and Sam Butler have bid farewell, while Jonathan Giles has been forced to hang up the boots due to a degenerative knee problem. Young Irishman Paddy Brophy went home in April. There are several players sweating on West Coast's dealings in the Trade Period. Experienced defender Sharrod Wellingham is treading water to find out if a new deal will be tabled, while goalsneak Josh Hill and mobile tall Tom Lamb are also out-of-contract and facing uncertainty. Jordan Snadden's future is also unclear after two years on the rookie list. - Travis King

Ex-Magpie Sharrod Wellingham is clinging to a spot on the Eagles' list. Picture: AFL Photos

While Jake Stringer is the well-documented headline act of likely Bulldog list changes this season, fellow forwards Stewart Crameri and Mitch Honeychurch also loom as departures from Whitten Oval. Both are yet to be offered contracts, with Crameri a chance to return to Essendon and Honeychurch attracting interest from Greater Western Sydney due to his strong tackling and ability to apply pressure. Both suffered injuries as they tried to establish themselves in the side this year, with Crameri missing the 2016 flag campaign due to a year-long doping ban. Ruckman Tom Campbell is also exploring his options at rival clubs after playing just 42 games in six seasons at the club. Out of favour for much of the season, premiership key defender Fletcher Roberts must be wondering where he fits into coach Luke Beveridge's plans after the Dogs netted free agent Jackson Trengove from Port Adelaide. - Ryan Davidson